The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a Lagos-based boutique owner, Godwin Emeka, at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport after he allegedly excreted 127 wraps of cocaine. According to NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, the 52-year-old businessman was apprehended upon arrival from Bangkok, Thailand, following credible intelligence. A body scan confirmed he had ingested substances suspected to be drugs. Babafemi revealed that 58 wraps of cocaine were initially recovered from Emeka’s pants, while another 69 wraps were later excreted, bringing the total weight of the seized drugs to 1.388 kilograms.
In a related operation, NDLEA operatives intercepted three United Kingdom-bound drug consignments hidden in a Lagos warehouse. Among the discoveries were 1.74 kilograms of methamphetamine concealed in glass ceramics, and several shipments of pentazocine and tramadol injections. Other thwarted attempts included drugs hidden in black soap, handbags, and herbal containers destined for Turkey, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates. The agency also intercepted 27,510 pills of Rohypnol disguised as sachets of alcoholic drinks bound for South Africa, leading to the arrest of three suspects, including a freight agent and a cab driver.
Further investigations led to the arrest of an Italy-based businessman, Enehizena Uyimwen, who attempted to smuggle over 6,000 pills of tramadol and tapentadol hidden in food items. NDLEA operations in several states also yielded massive seizures — 47 kilograms of skunk in Edo, 635 kilograms in Osun, and over 300 kilograms in Ondo. Other arrests were made in Rivers, Katsina, Niger, and Kaduna, where drugs including Exol-5, tramadol, and pentazocine were recovered. The operations underscore the agency’s commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks across Nigeria.
NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers across the country for their sustained vigilance and professionalism. He urged continued dedication to drug control operations and community sensitisation efforts. Recent arrests and seizures, including cocaine concealed in lipsticks and property documents intercepted earlier in 2025, highlight the evolving tactics of traffickers. These developments reinforce NDLEA’s role in combating narcotics smuggling, as traffickers increasingly resort to concealing drugs in everyday items or ingesting them to evade detection.
